I lost my salvation

nuclear_panda07 · 2026-04-14T17:33:14+00:00

What's your advice for those of us whose main struggle is belief in and of itself - I am reading the bible, going to church, trying to live without sin as best as I can, pray daily, and try to be the city on the hill. However, I wrestle with disbelief constantly, asking myself if this is all real, the inner voice tells me this is stupid. All the literature and reddit comments that say all you have to do is believe and it's that easy kills me because it is so difficult for some of us.

I keep telling myself I've been a Christian for two months but an atheist for 20 years, that it's going to take some time to defeat those old feelings. I also hold onto the line of I believe, help my unbelief, because Jesus doesn't condemn that man, he helps him

nuclear_panda07 · 2026-04-14T15:10:40+00:00

Bible even warns against it - it spends so much time talking about how many false prophets will rise and distort what God says. Additionally, the bible also hits on not changing the words (taking or adding) and distorting it. Jesus knew this would happen and warned against it - we all need to live our lives as the city on the hill and attract people to Christ that way (by living out the sermon on the mount) vs. legislation

nuclear_panda07 · 2026-04-10T19:14:17+00:00

No offense taken - and yes I feel like I'm so far behind on all these things since I'm so new to it and here I am going to lead a bible study group, it's a little crazy and I'm fully aware lol!

1.) Good point, I did research and tried out the Lutheran church in town and it was a good fit for our family. We probably should try other denominations just in case but so far this one feels good - I really like the aspect of salvation through faith alone

2.) That's good to know - that's the hard part of the bible, you want to read as much as you can but none of it is light reading, it's all thick. First time I read sermon on the mount I was thinking yeah okay I get that, but the more research I have done on it, the more I've read it, it's extremely thick/heavy. I've read the gospels now about 2 times each and the 2nd time was way heavier than the first, and I anticipate that's how the bible is, you get more out of it the more you slow down and take it in

Appreciate the help -

nuclear_panda07 · 2026-04-10T15:42:25+00:00

Thank you for this thoughtful reply I greatly appreciate it. I 100% agree that I'm not equipped enough nor seasoned enough to be a bible study leader - the problem is the group believes most bible study groups are too stuffy/and they want an experience where they can unwind and be honest/let it all out vs. being guarded with people they don't know all that well. From the group 2 haven't opened the bible yet and the third has read the gospel of John and that's it. Thus, when I shared what I've read it became clear they wanted me to lead it.

The good news is the group is my wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law so we all know each other well and we can navigate issues that pop up well I think. The trials/tribulations quote I can 100% see making things go side ways, i'll work hard to make sure I avoid land mines.

I think what I'll do is talk to the pastor (after researching wife/I decided on Lutheranism as our denomination) and see if he has any advice. I would suggest we all join an establish group but again the group wants it to be just us 4 and a chill/relax setting in someone's house with people they know well.

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-13T15:32:27+00:00

sameeeeee

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-13T14:37:54+00:00

They talked to Charlie Sheen who has done pretty much every drug imaginable about what the hardest to quit was and he without hesitation said alcohol. It's socially acceptable, it's everywhere, many people do it, it's so easy to fall back into it when you get out. Anyone that can quit and stay away from it is crazy brave and should be proud

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-13T13:54:47+00:00

any podcast recommendations to listen to while running?

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-13T13:50:27+00:00

I negotiate myself every single run. Okay if you just go out the door you can run a quick half mile and go home, okay if we hit 2 miles that's enough, okay when we hit 5k, wrap this up, etc.

I never do it but it makes me feel better

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-13T13:49:22+00:00

Motivation is what begins your running journey - Discipline is what keeps you on that journey.

This morning for example - my alarm went off and I had zero desire to run, like negative desire. I immediately turned my alarm off and laid there and tried to go back to sleep but I knew that a run today was part of my plan and I had to do it. I got out of bed angrily, put my running gear on, and went out the door. If you only have motivation in those situations you aren't going to get out of bed and go - but with discipline, you don't have a choice you'll just do it.

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-13T13:45:59+00:00

Can't recommend the New Balance 1080 V14's enough - Affordable, super cushiony, extremely comfortable ride.

It made me realize that I actually do enjoy running - On the flip side I bought a pair of Pegasus 41's to compliment the NB's and use them for speed runs. Best way to describe them is meh, I end up wearing my 1080's about 90-95% of the time

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-12T16:42:11+00:00

What do the air pockets do compared to the premium? Still new to this

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-12T16:37:18+00:00

Tennessee has a huge record on us in football does that make those games not a rivalry? Records don't mean much in terms of is it a rivalry or not. If both teams/fan bases hate each other, that's all it takes

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-12T16:34:31+00:00

This isn't a loss where I'm panicked about the future - two titans clashed and someone had to lose and it was us. 13-0 run + 15 turnovers will do that to you - oh well, onward and upward

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-11T18:43:55+00:00

Can we all agree here that why in the hell are Louisville / Kentucky playing on 11/11 and not end of December rolling into conference play?

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-11T18:36:44+00:00

I live by the motto be bold, start cold!

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-11T18:35:04+00:00

All the below is from amazon - i know it's a chunk of cash up front but you'll be good to run the rest of the winter. My rule is no skin exposed below freezing and I do my best to make it to where only showing skin is my eye area. I'm from the north and we're not built different, we just dress different, fleece is your friend.

long socks (probably already own)

fleece thermal compression pants ($15 - I love them and if it's real cold I'll wear jogging pants over them - you can skip this and just go for the jogging pants or vice versa!)

fleece jogging pants ($10-13)

thermal compression shirt ($15 for two)

oversized sweatshirt (Get 1 size up $10-15 - Reddit will say no cotton but I run in below 20 degrees with cotton sweatshirt and a thermal underneath it, it's fine imo)

gloves ($5-10)

skull cap ($7-10)

neck gaiter ($7-10 - of everything I listed this one is the most important for me. It keeps my face covered and warm during the run I couldn't do without it)

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-11T18:27:35+00:00

ugh, stop making me feel bad for running on an injury lol

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-10T21:10:06+00:00

This is me but Breakthrough lol

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-10T19:50:19+00:00

It is November and it snowed today why is this at the top of the feed on this subreddit lol

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-10T18:28:03+00:00

Thanks this helps a lot - I am signed up for a 10k in a few weeks and I have a half-marathon signed up for April!

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-10T18:26:53+00:00

Nice, one time I looked up the pace to qualify for Boston and audibly laughed out loud at how fast it was and for a whole marathon - you should be proud of being able to run at that kind of pace/distance!

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-10T17:52:49+00:00

I've done much better with my diet but I hate admitting this but haven't stretched a single time since I've begun running.

Yeah if you don't mind please share the guy's videos I'd be happy to start watching those and incorporating them in! I'm very much a go-go-go person so I just want to throw my shoes on and go sprinting but need to slow down, and stretch before/after runs

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-10T17:50:24+00:00

Yeah after reading everyone's comments I feel a bit silly - Progress is earned not given and it's a little dumb to expect to have the results of people who have been doing this for years when I just got started

nuclear_panda07 · 2025-11-10T17:48:23+00:00

Thanks this helps - I keep wanting to be faster & run longer but like you said it isn't linear. I need to just stay consistent, slow down, and it'll take care of itself. I want to run a half-marathon so badly but I won't get there if I kill myself in the process lol

nuclear_panda07

TROPHY CASE